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Rangers’ Wilson Never Doubted Himself As Starter

SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 28: Starting pitcher C.J. Wilson #36 of the Texas Rangers pitches in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants in Game Two of the 2010 MLB World Series at AT&T Park on October 28, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jeff Chiu/Pool/Getty Images)

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) – Confidence never has been an issue for C.J. Wilson. So it comes as no surprise that the one person who knew the Texas left-hander would succeed as a starter last year was Wilson himself.

It was only a couple of years ago that the 30-year-old was the Rangers’ closer. Last spring training, he offered to make the switch from the bullpen to the rotation if it was in the best interest of the organization.

Wilson went 15-8 with a 3.35 ERA in a team-high 33 starts during the regular season. His finest moment came in Game 2 of the AL division series when he held Tampa Bay to two hits over 6 1-3 scoreless innings.